Ironing machine



Jan. 8, 1963 o. B. BEASLEY 3,071,878

IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. OAS ON 5. BEAJAEV A Trae/VEKS Jan. 8, 1963 0. B. BEASLEY momma MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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m y w E e m 5 A W a W W Jan. 8, 1963 o. B. BEASLEY 3,071,878

IRONING MACHINE Arr-02m n;

Jan. 8 1963 o. B. BEASLEY 3,071,878

IRONING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. OLSON 5' 864546) United States Patent F 3,071,878 IRONING MACHINE Olson B. Beasley, San Fernando, Calif. (11024 Noble Ave., Mission Hills, Calif.) Filed Feb. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 88,383 10 Claims. (Cl. 3815) This invention relates to electrically operable ironing machines and, more specifically, the invention pertains to a semi-automatic power-driven ironing machine especially suitable for home use.

To those skilled in this art it is well-known that ironing machines commonly employed in industry today require the expenditure of a great deal of energy which, of course, becomes a serious problem to handicapped or aged persons. This same disadvantage is inherent in most of the ironing machines which have been developed for use in the home or other type of domicile.

Therefore, one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an ironing machine whereby the ironing operations are done by the machine after the garment is placed in position, and wherein no manual manipulations are utilized while the ironing of the garment is taking place.

Another object of this invention is to provide an iron-' ing machine of the type generally referred to above, the ironing machine being so designed as to reduce the time normally required to press a given garment or object.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the type generally described supra, the machine being capable of storage in a small area and ever ready for use without assembling.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an ironing machine for pressing or ironing, the machine being capable of producing the same fine qualities of hand ironing while, at the same time, carrying out the ironing operations with speed and efficiency.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an ironing machine of a semi-automatic type wherein a minimum of controls are provided, the controls being of a noncomplex nature.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of an ironing machine which is noncomplex in construction and assembly, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and further, to provide an ironing machine which is durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in the light of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of an ironing machine constructed according to this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a detail cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 4 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the carriage device used in conjunction with means for effecting reciprocation of the ironing board proper, FIG- URE 5 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 5--5 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail cross- I 3,071,878 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 sectional view, FIGURE 6 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 6-6 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the several electrical circuits employed in this machine.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates,'in general, an ironing machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. As is illustrated in the figures of the several sheets of annexed drawings, the machine 10 is seen to include an elongated substantially rectangular base frame which comprises a front and rear, oppositely-disposed, laterally-spaced and substantially parallel bottom angle iron members 14, 16 and a pair of oppositely-disposed, longitudinally-spaced and substantially parallel bottom side angle members 18, 20, respectively. From each corner of the base frame 12. rises a normally upright angle iron member 22, 24, 26 and 28, the angle iron members last-named being substantially parallel, one with the others. Extending between and rigidly connected to the upper ends of the angle iron members 22, 28 is an elongated front top angle iron member 30 which is oppositely-disposed with respect to a top rear angle iron member 32, the latter being substantially parallel to the former and extending between and being rigidly secured to the upper ends of the angle iron members 24, 26. Extending between and rigidly secured to the upper ends of the angle iron members 22, 24 and 26, 28 are top side angle iron members 34 and 36, respectively, which are disposed in spaced parallel relation relative to each other.

As is seen in the drawings, front and rear substantially rectangular side Walls 38 and 4-0, respectively, and substantially rectangular end walls 42, 44 are rigidly secured to the frame 12 by conventional means, and the top of the machine 10 is closed by an elongated substantially rectangular closure plate 46.

Extending between and fixedly secured to the pairs of. angle members 22, 24 and 26, 28, respectively, are normally horizontal angle members 48 and 50, respectively, the latter having inwardly-projecting and confronting arms 52, 54. The opposed ends of a pair of elongated laterally- .spaced and substantially parallel angle iron members 56, 58 are rigidly connected to the angle iron members 48, 50 below their respective arms 52, 54.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a bracket having a pair of upstanding lugs 62 (see FIGURES 2 and 4), the bracket 60 being mounted intermediate the ends of an angle iron member 64 on the arm 66 thereof. The opposed ends of the angle iron member 64 are rigidly secured to the upright angle iron members 22, 28 adjacent to but spaced below the upper ends thereof.

A pair of substantially L-shaped angle iron brackets are designated at 66, the brackets each having their respective foot portions 68 fixedly secured to the front an-.

gle iron member 30 and depend therefrom with the leg portions 70 thereof extending inwardly of 'the machine 10 in laterally-spaced and substantially parallel relation. Mounted in longitudinally-spaced relation on the foot portions 70 are a plurality of guide rollers 72, the rollers 72 being supported thereon by axle 74 locked thereto by lock nuts 76. The rollers 72 are formed with concave circumferential peripheries 78 which are tracked by a pair of elongated guide rods 80 carried on a pair of opposed sides of a substantially rectangular support plate 82, the rods 80 and support plate 82 forming part of a carriage assembly 84. The carriage assembly 84 includes a plurality of vertically-extending stub shafts 86 which serve as spring keepers for a like number of helicoidal springs 88 circumposed thereabout. The springs 88 extend somewhat above the upper ends of the shafts- 86 to resiliently support a second substantially rectangular plate 90 in spaced relation relative to the plate 82.

The plate 90 is centrally apertured to receive one end of a pipe 92, the pipe being welded to the plate 90 at 94. The lower end of the pipe 92 is juxtaposed relative to an upstanding lug 94, the latter being rigidly secured to the plate 82 by conventional means, and is connected to the adjacent end of the pipe 92 by a universal joint 96. The plate 90 is tapped to threadedly receive therethrough the upper end of an elongated clevis bolt 98 connected with a nut 100. The lower depending end of the bolt 98 (see FIGURE 3) is pivotally connected at 102 to a clevis end 184 of a link 1106. The link 106, at its other end, also terminates in a clevis 108, and this end of the link is pivotally connected at 110 to one arm 112 of a bell crank lever 114.

The apex of the lever 114 is pivotally connected by pin 116 between the lugs 62 of the bracket 68. The other arm -118 of the lever 114 is pivotally connected at 120 to one end of a lever 122. The other end of the lever 122 connects through a universal joint 124 with one end of a lever 126. The other end of the lever 126 pivotally connects at 128 with a crank arm 130 fixedly secured on a drive shaft 132 of a speed reducer 134 that is driven by an electric motor 136 rigidly connected to the angle iron members 56, 58 intermediate the ends thereof.

As is seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the pipe 92 projects upwardly through and above an elongated slot 146 that extends transversely of the closure plate 46. The upper end of the pipe 92 has fixedly secured thereto a substantially discoidal element 142 which, in turn, is rigidly connected substantially centrally of an ironing board 144 of conventional configuration and construction.

Fixedly connected to and depending from the angle iron members 34, 52 is the leg portion 146 of an L-shapcd guide channel member 148 having a foot portion 158. A similar L-shaped guide channel member 152 has its leg portion 154 secured to the angle iron members 36, 54, the leg portion 154 terminating in a foot portion 156. The two channel members 148, 152 are disposed in longitudinally-spaced, confronting and parallel relation.

Fixedly secured to each of the foot portions and projecting upwardly therefrom is a spring keeper and abutment rod 158 around which is disposed an elongated helicoidal spring 168, the upper ends of the springs normally extending beyond the upper ends of the rods 158.

Also fixedly secured to the leg 156 adjacent the outer end thereof is a micro-switch 161 (see FIGURES 2 and 7) having a switch arm 162 operable through a button 164 to close against the closed switch contacts 166, 168. Spring 170 constantly biases the arm 162 toward its normally open position and, under these circumstances, the button 164 extends above the keeper and abutment rods 158.

Slidably mounted in the channel members 148, 152 is a substantially open rectangular frame 172 which includes a pair of oppositely-disposed channel-shaped side elements 174, 176 mounted for reciprocation within the leg portions 146, 154 of the channel members 148, 152, respectively, the lower ends of the side elements 174, 176 being connected by a channel-shaped lower end wall 178. Extending between and integral with the upper ends of the side elements 174, 176 is a channel-shaped upper end wall 180. Vertically spaced from the lower and upper end walls 178, 180 and from each other are a pair of cylindrical rails 182, 184 having their respective ends fixedly secured to the side elements 174, 176.

Reference numeral 186 denotes a vertically-elongated substantially rectangular carrier plate having a vertically-elongated centrally-located slot 188 formed therein. The carrier plate 186, adjacent its upper and lower ends, has rigidly secured thereto in longitudinally-spaced relation, pairs of shafts 190 and 192, respectively, with each shaft of each pair thereof being vertically spaced relative to one another. The shafts 190, 192 are elongated and project laterally from one side of the carrier plate 186 to receive thereon rollers 194 and 196, respectively, each of which is formed with concave circumferential peripheries 198 and 200, respectively. The pair of rollers 194 are slidably mounted on and track the guide rail 182 on opposite sides thereof (see FIGURES 2 and 3) and the pair of rollers 196 are slidably mounted on and track the guide rail 184 on its opposite sides.

As is seen in the drawings, those ends of the pairs of shafts 190, 192, remotely-disposed with respect to the carrier plate 186, extend transversely through and beyond the frame 172 and have fixedly connected thereto vertically-spaced and inwardly-extending ears 194 and 196, respectively, which are welded or otherwise connected to a vertically-elongated, substantially hollow cylindrical standard 198, from which upwardly extends a neck-down tubular extension 200. The extension 290 extends through an elongated longitudinally-extending slot 201 formed in the closure plate 46. The extension 2% continues into a section 202 which projects parallel to the closure plate 46. The section 262 terminates, at its outer end, in a relatively short length of pipe 284. The pipe 284 is substantially parallel to the tubular extension 200 and is perpendicular to the closure plate 46. Depending from the lower end of the pipe 204 through a coupler 206 is a pressing iron 208 having a main body portion 210 from which depends and to which is rigidly secured a pressing shoe 212. Disposed within the main body portion 210 (see FIGURE 7) is a heating element 214 of the variable resistance type, or other similar type of heating element subject to control by the arm 216 operable by the knob 218 is externally located relative to the main body portion 210. The heating element control knob is operable, for example, to turn the arm 210 of a conventional rheostat.

From the lower end of the standard depends (see FIG- URES 2 and 3), an L-shaped bracket 220 having a foot portion 222 on which is rigidly connected a verticallyextending shaft 224, the shaft 224 having a stabilizing roller 226 rotatably mounted thereon which is adapted to engage a flange 228 (see FIGURES 2, 3 and 6) of the lower end wall of the frame 172.

Secured to the tubular extension 200, its section 202, and the pipe 204, as by one or more collars 230, is a rigid, hollow tubular member 232 which is connected at one of its ends with a cross-connector 234 from which leads, forwardly and rearwardly of the iron 208, secondary conduits 236, 238 that are, in turn, connected at their respective outer ends with downwardly-directed fluid spray nozzles 240, 242, respectively.

A coupler 244 (see FIGURE 7) connects the other end of the tubular member 232 with one end of a flexible tubular conduit 246, the other end of the flexible conduit 246 being connected with the fluid outlet side 248 of a solenoid-control valve 250 (see also FIGURE 2), the inlet end 252 being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, such as, for example, water or steam. The valve 258 is rigidly connected to the rear wall 40 by any conventional means and the valve 250 is, itself, conventional and includes a winding 254, a valve-operating armature 256 to the lower end of which is secured a valve head 258 normally disposed in a valve seat 260 formed in the valve body 262 of valve 250 when the winding 252 is de-energized.

As is seen in the drawings, the speed reducer 134 carries a second drive shaft 264 to the outer end of which is rigidly connected a crank arm 266 from which laterally projects a rigidly-connected shaft 268. Mounted for rotation on the shaft 268 is a roller 270 engaged within the slot 188 of the carrier plate '186, and is adapted for vertical reciprocation therein.

A foot-control lever 272 for the machine 10 comprises an elongated inverted substantially U-shaped channel member having an elongated bight 274 from the longitudinally-extending marginal edges of which depend side flanges 276. A pivot pin 278 extends tranversely through bracket arms 280 and the flanges 276 adjacent one of the ends of the latter, the bracket arms 280 being rigidly secured to the angle member 16 intermediate its ends. The foot-control lever 272 extends tranversely of the machine and terminates inwardly of the front wall 38 at which point it is connected by hinge means 282 to one end of an extension 284 thereof. The extension 284 (see FIGURES l and 3) extends through a verticallyelongated opening 286 formed in the front wall 238. The opening 286 is normally closed by a closure member 287 (see FIGURE 1) hingedly connected to the front wall 38 through conventional means. The extension 284 also has an inverted substantially U-shaped configuration and comprises an elongated bight 288 from the longitudinally-extending marginal edges of which depend side flanges 290. A foot-engageable, substantially ovate plate 291 is provided, the plate 291 having flanges 292 depending therefrom intermediate the ends thereof, the flanges 292 being pivotally connected at 294 to the flanges 290 in such a manner that the plate 291 is elevated above the bight 288. Projecting upwardly from the bight 288 adjacent its free end is a stop lug 296 adapted to limit the downward movement of the plate 291 in a counterclockwise direction, reference being made to FIGURE 3, and interposed between the inner end of the bight 288 and the other end of the plate 291 is a helicoidal spring 298 which constantly tends to bias the plate 291 in the aforementioned counterclockwise direction. The helicoi dal spring 298 surrounds the plunger 300 of a normally open foot-operated micro-switch 302 (see FIGURE 7) and carries a switch arm 304 that is adapted to close across the fixed switch contacts 306, 308. Spring 310 constantly biases the arm 304 to its normally open position.

Adjacent to, but spaced inwardly from the pivot pin 78 is a clevis bolt 312 that projects through the bight 274 on both sides thereof, bolt 312 being disposed beneath the lower end wall 174 of the frame 172. A nut 314 .is threaded on the bolt 312 and engages beneath the bight 274 to permit vertical adjustment of the bolt, and the clevis end 316 of the bolt 312 receives therein the lower end of a threaded clevis pin 318, the two being pivotally connected together at 320. The upper end of the clevis pin 318 extends through the bight 322 of the lower end wall 174 and has threaded downwardly thereon an adjustable nut 324.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURE 7, it is seen that the machine 10 is electrically controlled through a main power switch 400 mounted on the front wall 38 adjacent the upper end thereof. The double-pole singlethrow switch 400 connects the power lines 402, 404 through a primary circuit which includes the fixed switch contacts 406, 408, the switch arms 410, 412 to the leads 414, 416 to the opposite sides of the resistance 214. Connected to leads 414, 416 and in parallel therewith are wires 418, 420 which connect with the opposite sides of a pilot light 422 also mounted on the front wall 38.

The motor 136 is connected in parallel with the heating element 214 through the wires 423, 424, the fixed switch contacts 166, 168, switch arm 162, and wire 426. The winding 254 of the solenoid-operated valve 250 is connected to the lines 402, 404 through wire 428, and wire 430, the fixed switch contact 308, the switch arm 304, the fixed switch contact 306, wire 432, fixed switch contact 168, switch arm 162, fixed switch contact 166 and the Wire 426.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, the operation thereof is deemed to be self-evident.

Assuming that the component elements of the machine 10 are all in their full-line positions, as shown in the drawings, the operator closes the switch 400, thereby energizing the heating element 214, and adjusts the arm 216 through the knob 218 to obtain the desired ironing temperature. Water or any other desired fluid under pressure downwardly on the heel end thereof to cause the foot control lever 272 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about its pivotal connection 278 with the bracket arms 280. Since the open rectangular frame 172 is connected to the lever 272 intermediate the ends of the latter, the frame 172 will be pulled downwardly in the channel members 148, 152 against the tension of the springs 1 60. The downward movement of the frame 172 is, of course, limited by engagement of the frame member 178 with the upper ends of thekeepers 158. As this movement takes place, the switch 161 is closed, thereby energizing the motor 136. Assuming that the motor 13-6 is energized to turn in such a direction as to cause the speed reducer output shafts 132, 264 to rotate in a counterclockwise direcion, such as is indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the levers 122, 126 and 130 will be turned in such a manner as to cause the bell crank lever 114 to pivot in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 116, the bell crank lever assuming substantially the full-line position shown in FIG- URE 3. As the shaft 132 continues to rotate for degrees from its position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the bell crank lever 114 moves substantially to its dotted-line position. This oscillatory movement is imparted through the link 1% and bolt 98 to the carriage plate 82 causing the same to reciprocate between the rollers 72 and to effect reciprocation of the second carriage plate 90 carried on the helicoidal springs 88. It will be recalled that there is a universal connection at 96 between the plates 82, 90 and that rigidly secured to the plate 90 is a pipe 92 which, in turn, supports the ironing board 144. The reciprocation motion is such as to cause the pipe 9 2 to move longitudinally of the slot 140.

Simultaneously with this reciprocatory movement of the ironing board or table 144, the shaft 264 rotates the crank arm 266 which carries at its outer end the roller 27 0 reciprocable within the slot 188. As the shaft 264 rotates in the aforementioned direction, the carrier plate 186 is drawn from its full-line position as shown in FIGURE 2 to its dotted-line position as shown in the same figure. The carrier plate 186 reciprocates on rollers 194, 196 which has been described above, engaged in opposite sides of the cylindrical rails 182, 184 carried on the frame 172. Since the carrier plate 186 is directly connected with the standard 198, the standard 198 and the extension 200 thereof which projects through the slot 201 will also reciprocate. Now, since the carrier plate 186 is mounted on the frame 172 it follows that as the latter is moved vertically under the force exerted by the users foot on the foot plate 291, the standard 198, its extension 200' and parts connected therewith will also reciprocate in a vertical direction. Thus, it is seen that when the motor 136 is energized, movement is imparted to the iron 208 to cause the same to move vertically with respect to the ironing board 144 and to move longitudinally thereof while the ironing board 144 moves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of the iron 208-. It should be obvious from the foregoing that the machine 10 imparts a four-directional and a four-way smoothing or ironing method which, in turn, produces a better and finer quality of end product than is obtained through the use of known machines and methods. This should become quite clear in that when watching a fiatwork or large rol1er-type iron used in laundries, two feeders stand on each side of the feed apron. These feeders pull and stretch the garment upon the feed apron toward one another and away from the rollers. The object here is to pull or stretch out the wrinkles before they are ironed into the garment.

This may also be seen when observing a person using a hand iron. Under these conditions, the operator irons with one hand, while pulling or stretching the garment with the other hand. Pressers and home-type roller ironers are operated in substantially the same manner. The garment here is usually stretched or shaped before ironing.

The reason for stretching and shaping the garments while ironing is essential, because in using the roller-type ironer three primary factors are employed. These factors comprise heat, pressure, and one-directional motion which occurs while the garment is pulled over the hot bed plate, pressure and one-way motion being applied by the rollers. The press, whether commercial or of the household type, employs only two factors, namely, heat and pressure. By way of comparison, in the invention shown and described, four factors are employed at any given instant. For example, and during one-half of the revolution of the shafts 132, 264, heat, pressure, and two-directional motion takes place. During the other half revolution the movement of the ironing board 144 and the iron 208 are reversed and heat, pressure, and two-directional motion will then be applied in the opposite direction to the garment being ironed. Thus, the garment being ironed will have heat, pressure, and four-directional motion applied thereto during one complete cycle or revolution of the motor. During these ironing operations the ironing board 144 is moving back-and-forth and stretching the garment in two directions perpendicular to the first-directional stretching. This results in an elliptical over-all ironing pattern which results when any two objects are moving at right angles to one another.

The iron 208 and ironing board 144 are both pulling at a 90 degree angle relative to each other at any given instant, and consequently, a garment may be stretched and/ or smoothed and ironed in four directions without stopping, adjusting or touching the garment in any manner in one complete revolution or cycle of the machine. A garment placed on the board in a careless or disarranged manner, the machine, if properly used, will then straighten out and iron the garment in its original shape or the shape in which is was woven or knitted.

Another important feature of this invention comprises the provision of the swivelly-mounted plate 99. When the shoe 212 of the iron 263 is in motion, full or flush contact must be maintained between the iron 208 and the ironing board 144 at all times. If both the iron 268 and the board 144 were rigidly mounted, the action would be the same as in the cutting head of a shaper, and the iron would follow a straight line, whereby only the high spots would be ironed. Since nearly all garments vary in thickness, due to seams, pleats, et cetera, a swivel action is necessary and to this end there has been provided the carriage assembly including the plate 90. The swivel action of this assembly compensates for the swivel action of the human wrist when ironing with a hand iron.

Another important feature of this invention is the provision of damp ironing a garment. In this connection, reference is again made to FIGURES 3 and 7. With the iron 208 in its full line position shown in FIGURE 3, the lever 272 is in its downmost position and the switch 161 is closed to normally energize the motor 136. Now if the operator, while maintaining the lever 272 in its downmost position tilts his foot in such a manner as to cause the ball portion thereof to turn downwardly, the switch 302 is closed. In so closing, the circuit to the main lines 402, 404 is established through wire 428, the winding 254, wire 43%, fixed switch contact 308, switch arm 304, fixed switch contact 306, wire 432, fixed switch contact 168, switch arm 162, and wire 436. When the winding 254 is energized, the armature 256 is drawn upwardly, reference being made to FIGURE 7, to useat the valve 253 from its seat 260. Water or other desirable liquid now passes through the unit side 252 of the valve 250 through the valve seat 260, and passes through the outlet end 248 into the conduit 246 and to the tubular member 232 to the secondary conduits 236, 238 for discharge through the nozzles 240,

242, respectively, which are located, as has been described above, forwardly and rearwardly of the iron 298. Water is then sprayed over the garment being ironed, and the volume of water discharged is, of course, determined by the length of time that the foot switch 302 remains in its closed position.

Another novel feature of this invention resides in the fact that after the ironing pressing work has been performed, the extension 284 of the lever 272 may be pivoted about the hinge member 282 so as to be entirely contained within the machine 10 and thereafter, the door or closure member 287 may be swung across the opening 286 to close the wall 34.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ironing machine comprising an open substantially rectangular support including a pair of opposed substantially open rectangular front and rear frames and a pair of opposed open side frames, a pair of brackets secured to said front frame and extending inwardly thereof and transversely of said rectangular support, guide means on said brackets, a carriage assembly including a pair of vertically spaced plates, a pair of rods disposed, respectively, on a pair of opposed sides of the lowermost one of said plates, said rods being slidably received within said guide means, universal joint means connecting said one plate with the other of said plates, a plurality of helicoidal springs interposed between said one and the other of said plates, said springs supporting said other plate in elevated position above said one plate, a pipe having an end thereof secured to said other plate, in ironing board connected intermediate its ends to the other end of said pipe, said ironing board being elevated above said rectangular support and extending longitudinally thereof, means mounted on said rectangular support for reciprocating said carriage and consequently said ironing board transversely of said rectangular support, an iron disposed over said ironing board, means on said support connected with said iron to effect reciprocation thereof towards and away from said board and also longitudinally of said rectangular support.

2. An ironing board comprising an open elongated substantially rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a pair of L-shaped bracket members having their respective foot portions fixedly secured to said top front frame member and their respective leg portions extending parallel to each other and transversely of said frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced guide rollers mounted for rotation on each of said leg portions of said brackets, a carriage including a pair of vertically spaced plates, resilient means interposed between the lowermost one of said plates and the other one thereof, a pair of rods fixedly connected, respectively, to a pair of opposed sides of said lowermost one of said plates, said rods being slidably received for reciprocation between said guide rollers, a pipe having one end thereof fixedly secured to the other of said plates and its other end extending above said upper frame members, an elongated ironing board fixedly secured to said other end of said pipe, said ironing board extending longitudinally of said frame, and means supported on said frame to efifect reciprocation of said carriage and consequently of said ironing board transversely of said frame.

3. An ironing board comprising an open elongated substantially rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a pair of L-shaped bracket members having their respective foot portions fixedly secured to said front frame member and depending therefrom, said bracket members having their respective leg portions extending parallel to each other and transversely of said frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced guide rollers mounted for rotation on each of said leg portions of said brackets, a carriage including a pair of vertically spaced legs, the lowermost one of said plates having a plurality of stub shafts projecting upwardly therefrom and towards the other of said plates, a helicoidal spring for each of said stub shafts and encompassing the same, the upper ends of sad springs projecting above the upper ends of their respective associated stub shafts and said other plate engaged thereagainst, said stub shafts serving as spring keepers and as means for limiting the movement of said other plate towards said lowermost one thereof, a pair of rods fixedly secured, respectively, to a pair of opposed sides of said lowermost one of said plates, said rods being slidably received for reciprocation between said guide rollers, a pipe having one end thereof fixedly secured to the other of said plates and its other end projecting above said upper frame members, an elongated ironing board fixedly secured to said other end of said pipe, said ironing board extending longitudinally of said frame, and means supported on said frame to effect reciprocation of said carriage and consequently of said ironing board transversely of said frame.

4. An ironing board comprising an open elongated substantially rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of rtop and bottom side frame members, normally upright guide means fixedly secured to and'dcpending from each of said top side frame members, said guide means being disposed in confronting parallel relation, an open substantially rectangular frame including a pair of normally upright opposed side elements, the upper and lower ends, respectively, of sad side element-s being connected by elongated top and bottom walls, said side elements beingmounted for reciprocation within said guide means, :a pair of vertically spaced rods extending longitudinally across said lastnamed open rectangular frame from side element to side element thereof, a normally upright carrier plate mounted for reciprocation on said rods, a normally upright standard connected to said carrier plate, an iron, means connecting said iron to said standard with said iron over said boar-d for engagement with the garment disposed therebetween to be ironed, and means on said first rectangular frame for effecting reciprocation of said carrier plate and consequently of said iron longitudinally of said board.

5. An ironing board comprising an open elongated substantially rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a normally upright channel member comprising guide means fixedly secured to and depending from each of said top side frame members, said channel members being disposed in confronting parallel relationship, an open substantially rectangular frame including a pair of normally upright opposed side elements, the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said side elemeans being connected by elongated top and bottom walls, respectively, said side elements being mounted for reciprocation Within said guide means, a pair of vertically spaced rods extending longitudinally across said lastnamed open rectangular frame and from side element to side element thereof, a normally upright carrier plate mounted for reciprocation on said rods, a normally up right standard connected to said carrier plate, an iron, means connecting said iron to 'said standard with said iron suspended over said board for engagement with the garment disposed therebetween to be ironed, means sup ported on said first rectangular frame for effecting reciprocation of said carrier plate and consequently of said iron longitudinally of said board, and manually operable 10 means connected with said bottom wall for effecting reciprocation of said standard whereby said iron is moved towards and away from said board.

6. An ironing board as defined in claim 5, wherein fluid spray means are connected to said iron for effecting dampening of the garment to be ironed, and manually operable means for selectively operating said fluid spray means.

7. An ironing board comprising an elongated substantially rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a channel member fixedly secured to each of said opposed top side frame members, said channel members being normally upright and comprising confronting guide means, an open substantially rectangular frame including a pair of normally upright opposed side elements, the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said side elements being connected by elongated top and bottom walls, said side elements being mounted for recipro cation within said guide means, a pair of vertically spaced rods extending longitudinally across said open rectangular frame from side element to side element thereof, a normally upright carrier plate mounted for reciprocation on said rods, :a normally upright standard connected to said carrier plate, \an iron, means connecting said iron to said standard with said iron suspended over said board for engagement with a garment disposed therebetween to be ironed, means on said first rectangular frame for effecting reciprocation of said carrier plate and consequently of said iron longitudinally of said board, an elongated lever pivotally connected on said bottom rear frame member and projecting therefrom transversely of said first frame and beyond said bottom front frame member, and means pivotally connecting said lever with said bottom Wall of said second frame whereby actuation of said lever causes said last-named substantially rectangular frame to reciprocate whereby said iron is moved towards and away from said board.

8. An ironing machine comprising an elongated substantially open rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a pair of L-shaped channel members fixedly secured to and depending from each of said top side frame members with the foot portions thereof extending inwardly towards each other in confronting relation one with respect to the other, said channel members comprising guide means, an open substantially rectangular frame including a pair of normally upright opposed side elements-the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said side elements being connected by elongated top and bottom walls, said side elements being mounted for reciprocation within said guide means, a pair of vertically spaced rods extending longitudinally across said last-named open rectangular frame and from side element to side element thereof, a normally upright carrier plate mounted for reciprocation on said rods, a normally upright standard connected to said carrier plate, an iron, means connecting said iron to said standard with said iron suspended over said board for engagement with the garment to be ironed dis posed therebetween, means on said first rectangular frame for effecting reciprocation of said carrier plate and consequently of said iron longitudinally of said board, a foot operated lever pivotally connected at one of its ends with said bottom rear frame member, said lever having an extension pivotally connected to the other end thereof, said extension projecting beyond said bottom front frame member, a foot engageable plate mounted on said extension for pivotal movement relative thereto, means pivotally connecting said lever to said bottom wall, resilient means interposed between said bottom wall and said foot portions of said guide means, said resilient means constantly tending to bias said second rectangular frame for movement away from said foot portions, said last-named means comprising an electric motor, and electrical switch means operable by the actuation of said lever to connect and disconnect said motor with a source of 9. An ironing machine as defined in claim 8, and fluid spray means carried by said iron for discharging a fluid under pressure therefrom, a solenoid actuated valve connected between said nozzles and the source of fluid supply, and switch means mounted on said lever and operable to actuate said solenoid valve, selectively, upon demand by the user of said machine.

10. An ironing machine comprising an open elongated substantially hollow rectangular frame including opposed pairs of top and bottom front and rear frame members, respectively, and opposed pairs of top and bottom side frame members, a pair of L-shaped bracket members having their respective foot portions'fixedly secured to said top front frame member and their respective leg portions extending parallel to each other and transversely of said frame, a plurality of longitudinally spaced guide rollers mounted for rotation on each of said leg portions of said brackets, a carriage including a pair of vertically spaced plates, means interposed between the lowermost one of said plates and the other one thereof, a pair of rods fixedly connected, respectively, to the lowermost one of said plates, said rods being slidably received for reciprocation between said guide rollers, a pipe having one end thereof fixedly secured to the other of said plates and its other end extending above said upper frame members, an elongated ironing board fixedly secured to said other end of said pipe, said ironing board extending longitudinally of said frame, means supported on said frame to effect reciprocation of said carriage and consequently of said ironing board transversely of said frame, normally upright guide means fixedly secured to and depending from each of said top side frame members, said guide means being disposed in confronting parallel relationship, an open substantially rectangular frame including a pair of normally upright opposed side elements, the upper and lower ends, respectively, of said side elements being connected by elongated top and bottom walls, said side elements being mounted for reciprocation within said guide means, a pair of vertically spaced rods extending longitudinally across said last-named rectangular frame and from side element to side element thereof, a normally upright carrier plate mounted for reciprocation on said rods, a normally upright standard connected to said carrier plate, an iron, means connecting said iron to said standard with said iron suspended over said board for engagement with the garment to be ironed disposed therebetween, means on said first rectangular frame for effecting reciprocation of said carrier plate and consequently of said iron longitudinally of said board, fluid spray means mounted on said iron and connected with the source of fluid under pressure, a solenoid valve interposed between said fluid spray means and said source, a lever pivotally connected on said first rectangular frame and to said bottom wall for effecting reciprocation of said second rectangular frame, switch means operable through the action of said lever and said bottom wall to effect operation of said means for effecting reciprocation of said iron and said board, and a foot control switch for selectively operating said solenoid valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,183,732 Hubbell May 16, 1916 1,404,859 Hoffman Jan. 31, 1922 1,967,086 Emery July 17, 1934 2,189,215 Malott Feb. 6, 1940 

1. AN IRONING MACHINE COMPRISING AN OPEN SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SUPPORT INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY OPEN RECTANGULAR FRONT AND REAR FRAMES AND A PAIR OF OPPOSED OPEN SIDE FRAMES, A PAIR OF BRACKETS SECURED TO SAID FRONT FRAME AND EXTENDING INWARDLY THEREOF AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RECTANGULAR SUPPORT, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID BRACKETS, A CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED PLATES, A PAIR OF RODS DISPOSED, RESPECTIVELY, ON A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDES OF THE LOWERMOST ONE OF SAID PLATES, SAID RODS BEING SLIDABLY RECEIVED WITHIN SAID GUIDE MEANS, UNIVERSAL JOINT MEANS CONNECTING SAID ONE PLATE WITH THE OTHER OF SAID PLATES, A PLURALITY OF HELICOIDAL SPRINGS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID ONE AND THE OTHER OF SAID PLATES, SAID SPRING SUPPORTING SAID OTHER PLATE IN ELEVATED POSITION ABOVE SAID ONE PLATE, A PIPE HAVING AN END THEREOF SECURED TO SAID OTHER PLATE, IN IRONING BOARD CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO THE OTHER END OF SAID PIPE, SAID IRONING BOARD BEING ELEVATED ABOVE SAID RECTANGULAR SUPPORT AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID RECTANGULAR SUPPORT FOR RECIPROCATING SAID CARRIAGE AND CONSEQUENTLY SAID IRONING BOARD TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RECTANGULAR SUPPORT, AN IRON DISPOSED OVER SAID IRONING BOARD, MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT CONNECTED WITH SAID IRON TO EFFECT RECIPROCATION THEREOF TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID BOARD AND ALSO LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID RECTANGULAR SUPPORT. 